Wastewater; Payment of Sewerage Fees

The local bylaws governing contributions and fees under the Drainage Ordinance (BGS/EWS) stipulate that property owners who have the option of connecting their property to a public drainage system are generally required to pay (one-time) construction contributions. In this way, they contribute to the financing of this system in accordance with the principle of solidarity (every property owner in the service area is required to contribute).

The amount of the contribution is often based on the size of the lot and the floor area; a specific contribution rate, as set forth in the BGS/EWS, is payable per^{square meter} of such areas. However, it is also common to calculate the contribution based on the lot area and the floor area permitted for the lot under building code regulations. The contribution rate is usually calculated using a so-called “global calculation.” This calculation aggregates all incurred costs and allocates them proportionally across the total existing and anticipated land and floor areas.

In the course of constructing such a public facility, municipalities also have the option of requiring so-called advance payments from property owners even before completion, e.g., to reduce the municipal borrowing required for the construction work. Advance payments are offset against the final settlement (final development contribution) upon completion of construction.

It should also be noted that a municipality may levy so-called improvement contributions even after the initial construction of a facility, for example, if it has modernized or upgraded a facility that has been in existence for a long time.

Please contact your local municipal administration for more detailed information on the specific local regulations.

Regional Supplement (Editorial Responsibility: City of Erlangen)In Erlangen, drainage fees under the BGS/EWS are referred to as sewer construction fees.